Catholic Church Condemns Mbaka Over Comment On 2019 Elections

The Catholic Church has lambasted the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, over his statements on the 2019 general elections.

In a video that went viral on Monday, Mbaka was seen telling the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, Peter Obi, during the annual harvest and bazaar celebration of the church on Sunday, that neither the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, nor President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress, would win the 2019 presidential election.

Addressing Obi in Igbo, Mbaka said, “(Former) governor, listen, so that we won’t be deceiving God. As you are standing in the presence of these children of God, tell God what you will do for Him. It means you don’t want to do anything for God.

“Let me believe in fear, but this is a political statement. God hates stinginess. What I am saying is not for your pleasure. I am saying what will save your life, otherwise, you and Atiku will fail. The way you and Atiku are moving will end in shame.”

Reacting, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Fr. Benjamin Achi, told The Punch, that the diocese was not in support of the Mbaka’s remarks.

The priest noted that it was wrong for the fiery prophet to make political statements from the pulpit.

Achi said: “The church is supposed to be apolitical and the Bishops’ conference has said that repeatedly.

“We are not supposed to make any political statements from the pulpit within the context of Mass, that is, church service.

“So, it would be wrong to stand at the pulpit to make any political statements.

“There is a document issued by the Bishops’ conference to that effect.

“So, he just spoke on his own, not representing the diocese.

“We are not expected to come out openly to support a particular candidate for any reason. The church law does not accept such a thing.

“So, it would be wrong for anybody (priest) to come out and give an endorsement to a particular candidate.”